RE: Non ballasting a pig?

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "John H. Couture by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <couturejh-at-mgte-dot-com>


All -

It should be noted that there are two important current limiting variables
that are involved when a large Tesla coil is operating and a ballast is not
used. One variable is the size and length of the wiring from your service to
the utility transformer. If this wiring is the typical #6 AWG and it is a
couple hundred feet to the utility transformer there could be considerable
current limiting at the Tesla coil location. The other variable is the
available short circuit capacity at the utility transformer. In the country
where the distances between transformers are great there is also a current
limiting in the distribution system.

All electric services have a certain current limiting effect especially when
you are drawing high currents. You could be living in an area where you
would not need a ballast for your TC if the utility transformer is a long
distance away and you have a feeble electric wiring service. If this isn't
the case you may have some bad service connections that can change in
current limiting value and create a big hazard to you.

John Couture

-----------------------------------



-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com]
Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2002 7:00 AM
To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: Non ballasting a pig?


Original poster: "Barton B. Anderson by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <tesla123-at-pacbell-dot-net>

Yipes, starting to dislike this thread..... oh well,

Tesla list wrote:

> Original poster: "Jason Johnson by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <hvjjohnson13-at-hotmail-dot-com>
>
> I have to disagree. I think that this is a very common myth among tesla
> coilers, that you HAVE to have a ballast with a pig.

Hi Jason,
It's not myth, it's physics and safety. Yes, there are myths out there.
This isn't one of them.

> PT or MOT powered
> coil. I run an MOT powered coil with two unmodified MOTs and absolutely
> no ballast,

Unmodified MOT's would indicate internal ballasting (shunts). Possibly you
meant modified and you've done
away with the shunts?

> and a PT powered coil with no ballast, either can run almost
> indefinately (only limited by the spark gap heating) on a 120 volt 15
> amp breaker (well the PT did until I lost the cap).

Yes, as long as currents are low or fast enough to not trip the mains
during magtization of the core (and
while there is no failure). Should the transformer fail shorted someday,
hopefully the breakers will
protect you and your house. Note that Ken's 10kva DID trip the breakers
which he had to upgrade. Why did
they trip? I'll tell you why.. time and current.

> I remember an old
> school coiler running a 5kva pig powered coil with no ballast as well
> (he was never on this list to my knowledge, and lived in the UK) and he
> suffered no bad effects.

That's lucky for him, but I don't think one man's luck is the issue.

Maybe the word "must use" is what is being attacked. Ok, I'll change that
to "if your not a risk taker,
you will" use a ballast. Because, you will want to protect yourself, anyone
around, your house, your
components, etc.. from excessive current draw in the event of startup
stresses, failures, and mishaps.
Note this doesn't mean it "won't" work (alhtough in many cases - it won't),
it simply is smart protocol
and the best advice I can give to anyone on this subject.

Take care,
Bart